Environmental impact statement clears for new Hudson rail tunnel
by Brian T. Murray/The Star-Ledger
Tuesday November 11, 2008, 5:56 AM
Federal authorities have approved a final environmental impact statement for the new rail tunnel between New York and New Jersey, clearing an important hurdle to federal matching funds for a proposed project that will cost $8.7 billion.
Gov. Jon Corzine, who is getting heat from Republican legislators for proposing to fund New Jersey's share of the price-tag through highway toll hikes, Monday called the Federal Transit Administration's approval a "major milestone" for a project that "will greatly enrich commuter rail service between New Jersey and New York."
The project aims to double train capacity by building two single- track tunnels under the Hudson River, expand Penn Station in New York City and improve track and signal operations from east of Newark to New York.
The federal approval kicks off a 30-day public comment period, after which the FTA may end an environmental review process and allow agencies involved in the rail tunnel construction to obtain federal funds.
Corzine, echoing remarks made last week by Anthony Coscia, chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, also touted the rail tunnel as a means to boost the economy and get thousands of people in the area working.
"This key federal approval dovetails with our economic recovery plan, which includes a commit ment to major capital projects that can jump-start the state's construction sector and ensure the creations of thousands of jobs for New Jersey residents," Corzine said.
But Republican New Jersey legislators, noting the price tag on what is called the Access to the Region's Core has risen by 14 percent in a year, vowed last week to fight Corzine's plan to hike tolls over the next decade on the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike to fund New Jersey's share of the costs. Republicans contend the tolls were never intended for such a venture.
The rail tunnel is a joint effort by the Port Authority, NJ Transit and the state, all of which have promised to pay $5.7 billion. Authorities said they hope to obtain another $3 billion in federal matching funds.
3 comments:
All I can say is I hope this plan goes through. Taking the train into the city everyday can be such a nightmare, and increasing the number of trains should help with the crowds. Improving the signaling between Newark and Manhattan could help more. It's unusual for my train to not sit 5-10 minutes between Newark and Secaucus. Those tracks are so overloaded, one train not being exactly on time causes a ripple that effects all the rush hour trains.
It'll depend on exactly how they implement the plan. The work on Penn Station to handle the additional traffic is important too. Then again I won't be utilizing it when or if it's ever done anyways!
It's actually pretty cool what the entire ARC/THE Tunnel project is doing. They are expanding the tracks and making the North East Corridor to be a go-threw for all Lines to NYC. The trains of the current NEC will basically be in on the same route, but expanded, while other lines will be directed into THE tunnel and to the new station... it had to be done this way becuase there is a 2% grade maxiumum decline, before the train can tip over...There is going to be a new train station across the street, as part of the project is acquiring the post office. Big things ahead.
This is exciting, especially if it goes through. It's also exciting that you get to see your work come to fruition.
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